Category Archives: Languages

Applications are now invited for this 60-credit programme on Gaelic Medium Education. The programme is delivered by Aberdeen University and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, and is fully-funded by the Scottish Government. Find out more.

This project outlines e-Sgoil’s virtual learning approach to overcoming barriers to learning across a range of local authorities and aspects of pedagogy​. It is intended to assist senior leaders and teachers with improving practice through the medium of Gaelic and English.

“Being a headteacher has offered me the opportunity to make a difference on a scale that is unlike any I have ever known” – Anne Graham, Headteacher, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

The Scottish College of Educational Leadership has announced that applications for the following programmes are now open: Teacher Leadership, Into Headship, In Headship, and Towards Headship. Each programme is designed to suit the learning and development of those at different stages in their career. Links to further information and application forms can be found within the programme descriptions below.

Teacher Leadership

The Teacher Leadership Programme is open to all post-probation teachers in Scotland. It is primarily aimed at teachers who are seeking professional learning opportunities to develop their leadership of learning and teaching in their context. A central feature of the Teacher Leadership Programme is enquiring into an aspect of the participants’ classroom practice. Teachers are supported to take an enquiring approach to developing an aspect of learning and teaching of their choosing as appropriate for their learners.

Into Headship

Into Headship is Scotland’s national qualification for headship and is designed for teachers aspiring to be a headteacher. Into Headship focusses on the specificity of headship and the strategic role of headteachers. Aspirant headteachers are supported to develop and continue to build the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding required of senior leaders.

“Into Headship helped me enormously as a leader. With increased knowledge and understanding of the national and international perspective, I now have a deeper appreciation of why we do things – and because my opinions and values are rooted in knowledge I have far more conviction and self-belief. I’ve become less operational and more strategic.” Claire Slowther, Headteacher, Dunbar Grammar School.

In Headship

The In Headship programme is for headteachers within their first 2 years of headship, and is designed to provide support in transitioning to their new role. The programme is open to all new headteachers including those in a substantive post and those in an acting post (if the post will be held for longer than the duration of the programme).

It builds on, enhances and advances academic and professional learning gained through the successful completion of the postgraduate qualification Into Headship through which the GTCS Standard for Headship was initially attained. The programme provides a means for the deepening of understanding, application and evaluation of the Standard for Headship in practice, operating within the SCQF level 11 framework.

Towards Headship

Towards Headship supports the continuous professional learning of aspirant headteachers already awarded the Standard for Headship who are now considering headship as their next career step and wish to engage in further learning.

Towards Headship builds upon previous professional learning through engagement in collaborative learning experiences with other aspiring headteachers, within the specific context of school leadership and preparation for headship.

The Scottish Education Awards celebrate the commitment and success of Scottish education. We have a specific award for the Gaelic sector for which we invite nominations that recognise impact and achievements in both Gaelic Learner and Medium Education. The award is open to secondary, primary, early learning and child care centres, and special schools.

The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTC Scotland) is conducting a consultation to seek views on how to increase impact in the Gaelic sector. The consultation has a specific focus on the recruitment and retention of teachers of Gaidhlig, Gaelic (Learners) and those who teach a subject through the medium of Gaelic. GTC Scotland are also seeking views on improving teacher education for the Gaelic sector.

This consultation is a result of a seminar chaired by John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. At this seminar, GTC Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council were asked to identify ways in which the recruitment, retention and training of teachers for the Gaelic sector could be improved. Four other Gaelic networks were charged with looking at digital learning and the senior phase curriculum, the economy and labour market, community connections, and encouraging greater confidence in the use of the Gaelic language.